Swimming apparatus



(NQ Model.)

J. G. BISELE. SWIMMING APPARATUS;

No. 465,657. Pateted Deo. 22, 1891.

UNITED STATES VPATENT @Prien` JOHN G. EISELE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWIMMING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 465,657, dated December 22, 1891.

Application iiled July 13, 1891.

To @ZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JOHN G. EIsELE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsyl# vania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Swimming Apparatus, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in swimming apparatus, and has for its object devices adapted to be attached to the hands and legs of a swimmer to assist him in his movements in the water; and for this purpose it consists, first, of a novel deviceadapted to be attached to the lower portion of the leg of the swimmer and which will automatically folder close when the leg is drawn forward and expand when the leg is pushed back.

It further consists of the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described.

Figure l represents a perspective view of a swimmer with apparatus embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 represent side views at right angles to each of the leg portions of the apparatus as embodied in my invention.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a glove constructed of any flexible water-proof material, adapted to be secured to the front or palm of the hand and the wrist, whereby it may be contracted or folded so as to offer little resistance when the hand is being pushed forward in the water, and expanded when the hand is pressed backward against the water.

A glove which may be used in this apparatus is shown, described, and claimed by me in Letters Patent No. 458,888, September 1, '1891, and needs no further description at this time.4

The foot or leg portion Gr` ofthe apparatus consists of a folding or pyramidal structure G, of suitable material, preferably of a celluloid fabric, having the ribs II, which are secured at their upper ends to a collar J, movable on a guiding-bar I( on a bracket L. To the said ribs II are secured the stretchers M, which are also connected with a collar N, fastened to said guiding-bar. The bracket L is provided with the straps P for fastening it to the leg of the wearer. On the lower end of Serial No. 399,315. (No model.)

the bracket L is secured a stirrup or support Q for the foot of the swimmer, and on the side of the bracket is a cushion or pad R to protect the ankle of the wearer.

S designates a wire brace or support secured to the bar K, serving to strengthen the Same.

It will be apparent that when the leg is drawn up in the act of swimming the impact of the water against, the outer surface of the part G will cause ,the collar K to move on its guiding-bar M so as to fold the same, and when the leg is pushed backward against the water the latter enters the same, so .that the part G is extended, the collarK moving down the guide, whereby a larger surface of the part Gf is presented ,or brought in contact with the water and greater resistance is obtained, thus giving a greaterimpulse or force 4to the motion of the leg.

It will be understood that diderent-sized i gloves and leg-pieces may be used, according to the size or strength of the wearer.

The devices herein described will greatly assist a swimmer in his movementsin the water, accelerating his speed without any material increase of force expended.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Leters Patent, is@

1. In a swimming apparatus, a bracket or support adapted to be applied to one side of the leg, and a folding and unfolding web secured at one end to and guided on one side of said bracket or support, said parts being combined substantially as described.

2. In a swimming apparatus, a bracket or support adapted to be applied to one side of the leg, a folding and unfolding pyramidal web secured to one side of said bracket or support and guided thereon, and means for securing the said bracket or support to the leg, said parts being combined substantially as described.

3. In a swimming apparatus, a foot-piece consisting of a folding structure having ribs secured to a collar, a bracket having a guiding-bar, and stretcher-s secured to said ribs and to a fixed collar on said bar, said collar being movable on said guide, said parts being combined substantially as described.

4.-. In a swimming apparatus, abracket with IOO a guiding-bar thereon, a collar movable enda stirrnp or foot-support at the lower end of wise on said bar, ribs with a web thereon sesaid leg-piece, and an ankle cushion or pad lo cured to said collar, stretchers secu red to said adjacent to said stirrup, said parts being comribs and guiding-bar, and a stirrnp or footvbined substantially as described.

5 support secured to said bracket, said parts JOHN G. EISELE.

being combined Substantially as described. Vtnesses:

5. In a swimming apparatus, a foot o1' leg JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM,

piece having an unfolding andy folding part, A. P. JENNINGS. 

